Parlak, who runs the popular Cafe Gulistan in Harbert, near New Buffalo, came to the United States in 1992. Initially he was welcomed with open arms, even granted asylum. But in 2004, he was accused of lying on immigration documents about alleged past associations in Turkey with the Kurdish separatist group PKK. Parlak always denied the charges, but was arrested and served 10 months in custody before eventually being released in June of 2005.

Since that time, he has fought repeated deportation efforts, but has enjoyed enthusiastic support from Democratic and Republican lawmakers, as well as the wider community and Chicagoland visitors on the Michigan shore.

“Justice has prevailed,” Upton said in a statement. “We’ve always supported Ibrahim because we know who he truly is: A fantastic father, local business owner, and friend to many families here in Southwest Michigan.”

While the news does not mean permanent relief for Parlak, it does mean that the threat of imminent removal has been lifted. Turkey was demanding his return, he holds no travel documents for any other country.

Now, he says his greatest hope remains full citizenship in his adopted America. And he spoke lovingly of the wider community which despite varying political views, has consistently rallied together to keep Parlak in the United States.

“We hold onto the American values,” he said. “Even at the most difficult times, that kind of gave us hope to go forward!”